Legros, Rossetti and Burne-Jones

Alphonse Legros, 'A Study of the Head of a Man', 1882. Museum no. CAI 40

Copyright

Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum

Alphonse Legros, 'A Study of the Head of a Man'

Alphonse Legros (1837-1911)'A Study of the Head of a Man'1882PencilMuseum no. CAI 40Bequeathed by Constantine Alexander Ionides

Between 1876 and 1893 Legros taught at the Slade School of Art in London. While other art schools advocated detailed compositions, placing great emphasis on shading, Slade students were encouraged to make rapid linear sketches from the life model. Legros was an accomplished portraitist, but this study was probably a one-hour demonstration drawing made against the clock in the Slade life room.